I was on a panel awhile back bemoaning the loss of the NEA back in the 80's, and how short sighted I thought it was not to have government funding for the arts, particularly film.

John Sloss responded that the government subsided film productions via the local state tax incentives -- and that's true, but not the whole picture. Don't get me wrong, I love the state tax incentives. They are good for the film businsess and great for the states' economies. They create jobs and drive a lot of money into the states. They have helped stem the flow of entertainment jobs out of the country. But they don't create a more diverse culture.

When we had a tiny tiny portion of our tax dollars going to artists to develop new work, we had the possibility of new forms of representation. The local state tax subsidies are for production, not development; they lead to more of the same work. We all benefit when creative voices help us look at the world differently. Without financial support how is anyone supposed to develop for anything other than the existing market?

I always use Julie Taymor as the poster child for government subsidies for the arts. Back in the day she received such funding and was able to develop a truly unique craft. She was later tapped by Disney to bring The Lion King to Broadway and thereby generated tremendous wealth for many. Without the support of her development, we all would have been deprived of such a voice.

All that said, if you have finished that script and are looking to move towards production, those state incentives are pretty sweet. The Incentives Office has a swell state-to-state guide that is free to download. And through friday you can download here with just one push of a button and no need to fill out any forms. Check it out.

SF Film Society Blog

✨✨"City of stars, are you shining just for me?" #LaLaLand starring #ryangosling and #emmastone

#WarrenBeatty at the 45th SF International Film Festival. Excited to host this legend at the #CastroTheatre on Monday.

8:30 tonight! We close out #DocStories with #WernerHerzog. Already have Sunday plans? Reroute them to the Castro. Tickets at sffs.org.

Love this portrait of Barry Jenkins from our 2008 Festival. His new (amazing) film #Moonlight is in theaters this weekend. Watch it for your own good! Photo by Pat Mazzera.

Our conversation with Ezra Edelman at #DocStories explores the director's masterwork, O.J.: Made in America, and examines race, celebrity, media, and the justice system in the US.
Don't miss this intimate and important discussion, November 4 at the Vogue.

The final weekend of Modern Cinema features spooky, scary good films from #Criterion, #Janus, and Apichatpong Weerasethekul. Ends Sunday at #SFMOMA.

Happy birthday, #CarrieFisher! Thrilled to have your new film #BrightLights open Doc Stories November 3.

Modern Cinema week two starts Thursday @sfmoma! Experience the stunning films of Apichatpong Weerasethakul with the director in person.

Modern Cinema starts TONIGHT @sfmoma! Classics from @criterioncollection & @janus_films along with stunning films by Apichatpong Weerasethekul. Movies roll for the next three weekends. Tickets are selling fast!

With new films by Werner Herzog & Ava DuVernay, #DocStories features the best nonfiction work of the year. Lineup just announced at sffs.org.